Flu Vaccination in Children

Children are more susceptible to different types of infections than adults. Children need more care and precaution to prevent infections of different types of pathogens. They catch infection easily due to weak immune system.

Influenza is an infectious disease, which can transfer from person to person. In school, one flu patient can infect many children in his/her contact. Every year, twenty thousands of children below five years age are affected by flu. In 2008- 2009 many children die due to infection of influenza virus. Children below age two show more complications of flu.

Who needs flu vaccine?

Children in close contact with the flu patient
Children less than five years old living in daycare centers
Children living with the patient having health problems like asthma
To control spreading of the disease nannies, workers of health care centers and day care providers should get vaccine seasonally

Risk

children Less than six months old
Children less than six months of age are more prone to different types of infections. No vaccine is available for these children; therefore, all family members and caregiver should be vaccinated to prevent infection to child.
Children between six months to five years
It is studied that in America every year more than twenty thousand children are hospitalized by infection of influenza virus. Vaccination is necessary to protect children between six months to five years of age.

Who have more chances of flu?

Children with respiratory problems like asthma or lungs problem have more risk of flu. According to research, the asthma patient needs hospitalization, if they are vaccinated.
Children with organ transplantation operation have more risk of flu. Immune system is suppressed by medicines to avoid rejection of transplanted organ.
Disease related to kidney
Heart disease patient
AIDS patient
Treatment of aspirin for long period
Children with high level of sugar in the blood i.e. diabetes

Vaccination timing

Children should get vaccination in December or January. Many times the genetic make-up of influenza virus changes therefore, child should be vaccinated every year.

Instruction

Flu vaccination is recommended for children above six months
Generally, to get good result flu vaccination needs two doses between the gap of 28 days or 30 days
First dose of vaccine is necessary for guidance to the immune system and second dose makes immune system stronger
Keep watch that both doses are given to your child, because both doses are useful to protect your child against influenza virus
Flu vaccination every year

Vaccination cannot avoid the diseases completely but it can reduce the chances of flu. If by chance, vaccinated child is infected by influenza virus, then recovery period of the diseases decreases. Therefore, it is good to get vaccine on time to avoid the risk of flu.